The Situation: Maddie Wright, or Maame as her mother likes to call her (which may have many meanings in Twi, but for her purposes, it means 'woman'), does not live a charmed life. Currently, she still lives at home in London and is her father's primary caretaker. Sure, her parents are still married, but her mother spends every other year in Ghana. And Maddie's brother James is always ready with an excuse for why he cannot visit, or cannot take on a responsibility or two. And when it comes to money, they both tend to look to Maddie, even though her own savings is meager, and she was recently fired from the job she kind of hated. When her mother's return to London gives her the opportunity to move out and maybe live her own life, Maddie takes it, hoping she will finally discover who she is meant to be.
The Problem: When Maddie moves out, she is determined to try new things, meet new people, even buy new clothes and maybe eat foods she always stayed away from. Unfortunately, some new people are not worth meeting, and when the worst of tragedies strikes, Maddie has to wonder if carving out of space for herself and her needs is even possible, because the effort certainly does not feel worth it. Sure she has secured a new and seemingly better job, but certain events and instances do not feel right. Bringing any of this up to her mother elicits the most unhelpful of responses, causing Maddie to also examine her unconventional family, and the idea of her own happiness.
Genre, Themes, History: This novel is set in modern-day London, where Maddie lives and works. In her mid-twenties, Maddie shoulders the majority of the responsibility for caring for her father, who has Parkinson's disease, and the wide range of symptoms has affected his memory, mobility, ability to speak, and many other things. Having the opportunity to move out may mean a freedom she has never known, but what follows is a crash course in navigating human interactions as a young black woman. Suddenly Maddie has roommates, and new coworkers, and men are giving her their number. But her mother is still asking for money, her brother is still avoiding responsibility, and Maddie does not know if the sadness she feels is normal.
My Verdict: I will start with a warning that anyone with aging or sick parents will probably feel all of the feels with this book. And while Maddie may be naive, she has also been made to experience some things much sooner than she should have, and with no one around to help her with any of it (leading to some incredibly interesting Google searches). Even though I (thankfully) cannot relate to having an overbearing and demanding mother, Maddie's interactions with her own mother gave me a feeling of resentment on her behalf that I am sure only pales in comparison to the real thing. But each interaction - with her mother, brother, coworkers, roommates, etc. - came from such a real and authentic place, while also not being too overwhelming. There are some heavy topics that are explored here (familial duty, racism, mental health), but it is done with the appropriate sensitivity, and with just the right amount of humor. Truly a wonderful debut.
Favorite Moment: Maddie's growth throughout the novel is very one-day-at-a-time. But seeing her slowly get used to speaking up for herself is truly something I am glad to have witnessed.
Favorite Character: Maddie's roommate Cam is just the right amount of no-nonsense, practical, old-fashioned, and protective.
Recommended Reading: I recommend Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams.
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